As part of the investment project for
the technical re-equipment of ESP and VDP furnaces in Ruspolimet
, a section for preparing consumable electrodes of TSEM was organized on the areas of the 171st building. The formation
of an auxiliary site was required due to the increase in capacity for
the production of heat-resistant steels and alloys and products made from them. On the site
there are six band saws designed for
high-precision separation cutting of solid-section workpieces weighing up to 10,000 kg. According
to Pavel Slyunyaev, the master of the TSSEM, this section is used for cutting not
only consumable electrodes for ESR and VDP furnaces, but also ingots (finished
products), which allows the shop to improve
its production performance. The first stage of the site organization included the transfer of three
pieces of equipment from the TSEM\ ' s premises. Subsequently, due to the launch
of additional vacuum arc and electroslag
remelting furnaces, it became necessary to increase the number of band sawing
equipment to six units. The machines were installed by
contractors and specialists of Ruspolimet. Today, all band sawing units
operate in the operating mode. The machines are serviced
by qualified specialists of the company. The formation of a consumable
electrode preparation area allowed us to maximize the load of VDP and ESR furnaces and open
up additional workplaces.
 

 As part of the completion of the Employer's School course
, KUPNO hosted a presentation of HR projects and plans. HR Director
RUSPOLIMET N. N.Kubantseva was a speaker of this course and an expert in the defense
of projects. In total, representatives of more than 30 enterprises of the region took part in the Employer's School
, among them HR managers of RUSPOLIMET,
Drobmash, and Grankom. Representatives of our Group of Companies shared their projects
aimed at improving labor productivity, adaptation, and working with
young people. Other businesses have submitted plans for recruiting staff,
mentoring, training, and implementing these solutions.\ Kubantseva N. N. as
an expert gave an assessment of projects and valuable recommendations on the use
of effective HR management tools in the current labor market conditions.
All participants were particularly interested in our project "Multi-functionality". 
There were a lot of questions from the audience about the implementation and use of this HR tool in
production. Nina Nikolaevna commented on the features of the multifunctionality technology
and answered all the questions of the company. The participation
of the RUSPOLIMET HR Directorate in regional educational programs supports
the high level of our company's HR brand and generally has a positive impact on
the company's image. 

The Russian economy was put
on a crash test. This was stated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ruspolimet, a member
of the RSPP Management Board, chairman of the Coordinating council of RSPP branches in the Volga Federal District.
Viktor Klochay at the financial forum " Financial System of Russia: search for ways to
ensure the development of the economy", held as part of the "Russian
Business Week". According to him, a sharp increase in the key rate turned out to be one of
the most effective sanctions that have been imposed on the Russian economy in
recent years. "There is a feeling that the country's economy has been put on
a crash test, and by the end of the first quarter of 2025, if
drastic measures are not taken, we will see, in my opinion, a very serious result,"
Klochai said. He added that the first result of this was the rejection of previously
announced orders, which led to a decrease in production and shipments by 6.8%, as a
result of which the planned annual production figures were not achieved. Horizon
of planned confirmed orders for 2025. decreased to just over 2.5
months. Given that the technological cycle is 3.5 months, it is almost impossible to work in
this mode at the level of last year, Klochaysky pointed out. 
On February 14, the Board of Directors kept the key rate at 21% per annum after
a similar decision in December 2024. This was expected by all 23 surveyed
economists of the Vedomosti consensus forecast. At the level of 21%, the key rate
has been maintained since October of last year. The next rate meeting of the Board of Directors
is scheduled for March 21.